Fibromyalgia is the origin of the Central Nervous System

I found this article in “Health Plans” where we talk about the possible origin of Fibromyalgia in the Central Nervous System. The article is based on the study conducted by Daniel Clauw, professor at the University of Michigan. I leave this reading to entertain on Christmas day.

“Fibromyalgia is the second most common rheumatic disease behind osteoarthritis and, although still widely misunderstood, it is now considered to be a lifelong disorder of the central nervous system, which is responsible for the amplified pain that is triggered through the body. in those who suffer from it. Daniel Clauw, MD, professor of anesthesiology at the University of Michigan, analyzed the neurological basis for fibromyalgia in one direction of today’s plenary session at the Scientific American Pain Society Annual Meeting.

“Fibromyalgia can be considered both as a discrete disease and also as a common end route of centralization and chronic pain. Most people with this condition have lifelong histories of chronic pain throughout the body,” said Clauw. “The condition can be difficult to diagnose if one is not familiar with classical symptoms because there is not a single cause and there are no external signs.”
Clauw explained that the pain of fibromyalgia comes more from the brain and spinal cord than from areas of the body where someone may experience peripheral pain. The condition is thought to be associated with alterations in how the brain processes pain and other sensory information. He said doctors should suspect fibromyalgia in patients with multifocal (mostly musculoskeletal) pain that is not fully explained by an injury or inflammation.
“Because pain pathways throughout the body are amplified in patients with fibromyalgia, pain can occur anywhere, chronic headaches, visceral pain and sensory hyper-response are common in people with this condition. painful condition, “said Clauw.

“This does not imply that the peripheral nociceptive input does not contribute to the pain experienced by patients with fibromyalgia, but I feel more pain than would normally be expected from the degree of peripheral input. People with fibromyalgia and other pain states that are characterized by sensitization will experience pain from what those who do not have the condition would describe as touch, “added Clauw.
Due to the origins of the central nervous system pain of fibromyalgia, Clauw said opioid treatments or other narcotic painkillers are generally not effective because they do not reduce the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain. “These medications have not been shown to be effective in patients with fibromyalgia, and there is evidence that opioids can even worsen fibromyalgia and other centralized pain states,” he said.
Clauw advises doctors to integrate pharmacological treatments, such as gabapentinoids, tricyclics and serotonin reuptake inhibitors, with non-pharmacological approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, exercise and stress reduction.
“Sometimes the magnitude of the response to treatment for simple and inexpensive therapies does not exceed that of the drug for pharmaceuticals,” Clauw said. “The biggest benefit is the function, which should be the main goal of treatment for any chronic pain condition improved. The majority of patients with fibromyalgia can see an improvement in their symptoms and lead a normal life with the appropriate medications and an extensive use of non-pharmacological therapies. ”
About the American Pain Society

Based in Chicago, the American Pain Society (APS) is a multidisciplinary community that brings together a diverse group of scientists, physicians and other professionals to increase pain awareness and transform public policy and clinical practice to reduce the suffering associated with pain. Pain. APS is the professional in the home for researchers involved in all aspects of pain research, including basic, translational, clinical and health services research to get the support and inspiration they need to thrive professionally. APS strongly advocates for the expansion of high-quality pain research to help advance science to achieve effective and responsible pain relief. ”

I hope you enjoyed the reading and that these studies serve to give some light to the solution of this devastating disease that makes us so vulnerable.

Thanks for reading me. I send kisses and cotton hugs asking them to share so I can help more people.